Joint operation sets sights on illegal hunters

People illegally hunting deer and other animals across Gippsland have been warned they are the target of an ongoing police and government crackdown.

Operation Keratin is a joint operation between the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Parks Victoria and Victoria Police.

Five people were arrested at Wilsons Promontory National Park last week, and are expected to be charged under firearms, wildlife and national parks legislation.

The DSE's Charlie Franken is coordinating the operation.

He says illegal hunting is a serious problem across the region.

"We're receiving information right across Gippsland, so the operation will focus on those three key areas - firearms, hunting, and firearms and hunting in inappropriate areas right across Gippsland over the next couple of months," he said.